The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-06
A GILLIAN "SHE."
Isidora de Consino, the Monte Cristo
Of South Am erica.
F,.on. the San Francisco Eran,tner.


From the San Francisco Examiner
A flashy dressed young man of medium
height, with large diamond in his shirt
bosom, stepped off the barkentine Aldavia
few days ago when it arrived from Chilli.
There was something SO sharp and shrewd
in his appearance that the attention of a
reporter was attracted to him.
THAT is Mr.. Jenkins, the grand secretary
10 the richest woman in South America
Nine. lsidora~S de Consiuo-commonly
known as the Monte Cristo of South Amer
ica," said an officer of the vessel
80 you would like to know something
of the madame" observed Mr. Jenkins,
stroking his moustache, on being intro
duced. "Well, there is lots to tell YOU.
could talk about her possessions and her &C.
CentricitieS for a. week and the subject
would not be half exhausted. It's curious
thing that she was not discovered long
since. She is known all along the South
American coast and is almost queen over
the people. In fact, there is no one who
disputes her IL anything she says or does
and she revels in the luXurieS that her enor-
nous wealth can surround her with. About
fifty years have passed since she was born
and, though few women have dissipated as
she has, she is well preserved, and goes out
and has her nice little time the same as
ever.
mo, she is not fair Her features are
coarse, like a scrvant-girl's, but she has had
many lovers.
''She has partiality for the French, and
a few years ago when a gentleman from
France happened around she invariably in
vited him and fell in love with him. In
late years her sons have been watching her
and using their efforts to keep her from
scandal, which she falls into very easily.
1.-THE society people of the city repeatedly
VOW that they will never visit her again,
but her receptions are so elegant and rich
that they never fail to attend when they re-
ceivc an invitation.
"Isidora is native of Chill and widow
of the late Luis de Conslno, a gentleman of
French origin. She claims to have Castilian
blood in her veins, and most probably she
has. She is owner Of about four-fifths of the
coal mines Of Lota, small seaport in the
southern part of Chill, the inhabitants of
which are entirely dependent for their liveli-
hood upon the mines, and besides this, she
has the controlling interest in the Compania
Esplotadora de Carbon de Lota Coronel
These mines supply all vessels of the Pacific
Steam Navigation Company with coal, and
also all steamers plying on the southwest
coast.
''At Lota she has removed what was a
handsome building aud is rebuilding palace
10 eclipse anything in South America. Its
cost will be more than g., 100000. The palace
is TO be situated in the most beautiful park
country, veritable Eden, where it will be
surrounded by tho most magnificent trees
and plants that money can procure In San
tiago, the Capital of Chill, she has a resi-
dence that for grandeur has few equals. 1t
is situated in garden Of five acres teeminS
with tropical plants aud birds.
"Eler stables contain fifty or more
thoroughbred English racers; the madame
was the first patroness of horse-racing in
Chill. Her turnouts are equal TO those of any
Princess.
"Isidora cares little for money. Her in
come is enormous, but she manages to spend
about as much. In 1885 her brother died.
In her bereavement she made donations 10
hospitals, churches, converts, etc, TO the
amount of 5000. 900. She was left SS,000,Q0
by him. Included in her estate was q hand
some residence on one of the principal streets
of Santiago. The dwelling was built and
owned for a time by former Californian,
Don Enrique MeigEs, who had all the ma
teI'ial and workInen brought from the
States.
'sShe has three daughters. The eldest is
twenty-one and the youngest Is twelve years
of are. Tho second is seventeen and the
prettiest. Isidora has much trouble with
them. Recently young Lieutenant fell in
love with the 17-year-old and her mother
saw &c toromove her to a convent. The others
have since been placed where the beguile-
ments Of man can not Toochahe~